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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (21 August 2024)

HSFO is tight in the ARA; supply is tight in Las Palmas; low LSMGO demand in Nacala.

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RESIZED ENGINE Europe and Africa

The following article regarding Europe and Africa bunker fuel availability has been provided by online marine fuel procurement platform ENGINE for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

  • HSFO is tight in the ARA
  • Supply is tight in Las Palmas
  • Low LSMGO demand in Nacala

Northwest Europe

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in Rotterdam and in the wider ARA hub. HSFO availability is slightly tight, a trader said. Despite this, lead times remain largely unchanged, with a trader recommending 3–5 days for all grades.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 3% lower so far this month than compared to July, according to Insights Global data.

The region has imported 251,000 b/d of fuel oil in August so far, down from 296,000 b/d imported in July, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa. The ARA has imported low-sulphur fuel oil (LSFO) and HSFO in a 55/45 ratio so far this month, indicating a slight tilt towards LSFO compared to July, when the ratio was 50/50.

The US has replaced Germany as the ARA’s biggest fuel import source, accounting for 22% of the total imports this month. Estonia has ranked second with 19% of the total imports, and France stands in third place at 13%, followed by Poland (11%), the Bahamas (10%) and Germany (9%).

The ARA hub has exported 294,000 b/d of fuel oil so far this month, a significant increase from the 224,000 b/d exported in July. Fuel oil cargoes have departed for Greece (22%), Spain (13%), Senegal and Denmark (5% each), Vortexa data shows.

The ARA hub’s independent gasoil inventories — which include diesel and heating oil — have increased slightly by 1% so far this month. The region has imported 368,000 b/d of gasoil so far this month, up from 303,000 b/d of gasoil in July, according to Vortexa data.

Bunkering is proceeding smoothly in Germany’s Hamburg port, where availability is good across all grades, according to a trader. Lead times of 3–5 days are recommended for optimal coverage from suppliers.

Mediterranean

In Gibraltar, tightness in prompt supply has stretched into its third consecutive week. Lead times of 4–6 days are still recommended for all grades. Minimal congestion was reported in the port on Wednesday, with bunkering proceeding smoothly amid calm weather conditions.

In the Canary Islands’ port of Las Palmas, lead times have increased slightly as some suppliers have a tight delivery schedule until 28 August. Lead times have stretched to 5–7 days as a result. Las Palmas has been witnessing high demand over the past few weeks. Bunkering disruptions may occur due to bad weather forecast in the port area between Wednesday and Saturday, according to a source.

Demand has picked up this week in the Greek port of Piraeus, a trader said. Bunker fuel availability is tight in Piraeus till the end of this month, with the earliest delivery date for VLSFO and LSMGO stretching out to 27 August. Bunkering may be disrupted between Wednesday and Saturday due to adverse weather forecasts in the port area, a source said.

Securing prompt delivery of HSFO can be difficult off Malta due to the grade’s tight availability, according to a trader. Supply of VLSFO and LSMGO grades is relatively better. However, bunker demand is said to be weak off Malta. Rough weather-induced bunkering disruptions may occur on Wednesday and Thursday off Malta, according to a source.

Prompt availability of bunker fuels is tight in Turkey’s Istanbul port. Bunker supply is said to be fine for delivery dates after 24 August. Bad weather is forecast in Istanbul between Wednesday and Saturday and may hamper bunkering in the port area.

Africa

The South African port of Durban continues to grapple with tightness for LSMGO prompt delivery. A trader advises lead times of up to two weeks for the grade. Strong wind gusts of up to 38 knots have been forecast in Durban on Wednesday. Rough weather will continue till Saturday, with strong wind gusts ranging between 19-36 knots.

VLSFO is also running tight, but lead times are comparatively shorter and recommended at 7–10 days in Durban and Richards Bay.

In Mozambique’s Nacala, all three bunker grades have good availability, a source said. While demand is robust for HSFO and VLSFO, LSMGO demand has been low.

Similarly, LSMGO demand is low in Mozambique’s Maputo despite the good availability of the grade. VLSFO availability is good, and so is demand, the source added.

Meanwhile, in Angola’s Luanda, a state-run bunker supplier has halted VLSFO supply temporarily in the port, a source said. There has been no update on when supply is likely to resume. LSMGO availability is normal and is supplied by a barge at anchorage, the source added. Bunkering is expected to proceed smoothly amid calm weather forecasts in the port for the rest of the week, a source said.

Bunker supply pressures have eased slightly in Mauritius’ Port Louis. Lead times have come down from over two weeks in the last couple of weeks to around ten days now. Bunkering may be affected by bad weather forecasts from Wednesday till Sunday in the port, a source said.

By Manjula Nair

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 22 August, 2024

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Bunker Fuel

Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (3 September 2026)

Bunker report panellists include Island Oil Limited, Cockett Marine Oil Pte, Monjasa A/S, KPI OceanConnect, NSI Marine and Transparensea Fuels.

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Baltic Exchange logo

The following bunker report has been provided by freight market information provider Baltic Exchange for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (3 September 2026)
Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (3 September 2026)

All values are in US$/metric ton, all-in (invoice price), delivered on board
Delivery in 7-10 days
ISO 8217:2010
IFO 380 3.5% Sulphur
IFO 380 0.5% Sulphur
DMA 0.1% Sulphur

Fujairah – Offshore Anchorage Area
Gibraltar – Anchorage area
Houston – Houston Harbor
Panama – (Pacific) dangerous cargo area, Balboa
Rotterdam – Waalhaven Maasvlakte range
Singapore – Anchorage, under SBA Scheme
Zhoushan – Southern anchorage area

Submitted weekly at Close of Business UK time Daily

Panellists:
Cockett Marine Oil Pte, Island Oil Limited, KPI OceanConnect, Monjasa A/S, NSI Marine and Transparensea Fuels

 

Photo credit and source: Baltic Exchange
Published: 4 September, 2026

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Bunker Fuel

ENGINE: Americas Fuel Availability Outlook (3 September 2026)

New York sees healthy bunker demand; availability improves in Los Angeles; VLSFO and LSMGO tight in Rio de Janeiro.

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RESIZED ENGINE Americas

The following article regarding bunker fuel availability in the Americas region has been provided by online marine fuel procurement platform ENGINE for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

  • New York sees healthy bunker demand
  • Availability improves in Los Angeles
  • VLSFO and LSMGO tight in Rio de Janeiro

North America

In Houston, bunker demand has been strong over the past week, and prompt availability is bit tight across all three conventional grades.

HSFO and VLSFO require lead times of 5–7 days, and LSMGO can be delivered by most suppliers within 4–5 days, a trader said.

At the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA), operations are being conducted on a first-come, first-served basis and remain subject to weather conditions.

Recommended lead times for all three grades stand at 5–8 days at the anchorage this week.

Mobile Bay stands out this week, with visibility dropping as low as 1 nautical mile during high-risk periods recurring almost daily through 9 September. Elsewhere, sea fog risk along the US Gulf Coast is mostly low.

Moderate risk builds through midweek at Port Arthur, Lake Charles, Marsh Island, Port Fourchon, New Orleans and Venice, while Texas ports, Pascagoula and Tampa stay largely clear, bar a few brief moderate spells.

In New York, bunker demand has been good. HSFO and VLSFO are tight for prompt supply, with lead times of 6–8 days, and LSMGO is available within 3–5 days.

No backlog or bunker barge readiness issues have been reported. Weather conditions are forecast to remain calm and conducive for bunkering at the port, a source said.

The Atlantic hurricane season is currently ongoing, with three active hurricanes — Karina and Marie in the Eastern Pacific, and Lowell in the Central Pacific.

The National Hurricane Center has issued advisories on all three. Additional marine warnings are also in effect in the Eastern Pacific region.

On the US West Coast, fuel availability across all three conventional grades has improved since the past week, a trader said. At the port of Los Angeles and Long Beach, some suppliers can now deliver VLSFO and LSMGO in a week’s time, compared to last week’s 10 days, while HSFO lead times remain unchanged at 7 days.

Recently, the Port of Los Angeles approved a 30-year lease extension with Yusen Terminals, keeping the operator at the port through 2056, and adding a further $200 million investment in zero-emission equipment.

At Canada’s Vancouver, VLSFO has been a bit tight over the past week, with recommended lead times currently over 5 days, a source said. HSFO and LSMGO have good availability, with lead times of 5–7 days.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Bunker availability is good for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO at Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal, and demand has picked up this week, a trader told ENGINE.

Suppliers are recommending lead times of 3–5 days for all three fuel grades.

In Brazil, HSFO is no longer available, and lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO vary across the country’s ports.

Santos is congested, but availability is normal for VLSFO and LSMGO, with recommended lead times of 5–8 days.

Availability is tight for both grades in Rio de Janeiro this week, and supply is only available under prior consultation, a source said.

Rio Grande is reporting no availability for LSMGO, and VLSFO is available and can be supplied by most suppliers within a week.

At Paranaguá, Belém and Vila do Conde, VLSFO and LSMGO have decent availability, with lead times ranging between 4–7 days.

Punta Colorada in Argentina is set for a step up in activity, with two floating LNG (FLNG) units due onstream there by the end of 2027.

The Hilli Episeyo, currently repositioning from Cameroon via Singapore, and the Esperanza, a converted LNG carrier, will together add just over 6 million tonnes of annual LNG production capacity once both are running, Antares Shipping Agency said.

Bunkering operations in Argentina’s Zona Comun are continuing, despite choppy conditions at the anchorage.

Strong winds are expected to persist through the week, with the potential to interrupt bunkering, if winds exceed above 20 knots. Supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO are normal, and delivery lead times are currently running at 5-7 days, a source said.

By Gautamee Hazarika

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 4 September, 2026

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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Fuel Availability Outlook (2 Sep 2026)

Prompt fuel supplies are tight in the ARA; high cruise demand tightens availability in Piraeus; lead times of 5-7 days required in Durban.

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RESIZED ENGINE Europe and Africa

The following article regarding Europe and Africa bunker fuel availability has been provided by online marine fuel procurement platform ENGINE for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

  • Prompt fuel supplies are tight in the ARA
  • High cruise demand tightens availability in Piraeus
  • Lead times of 5-7 days required in Durban

Northwest Europe

Fuel availability is tight in the ARA for prompt delivery dates, with buyers advised lead times between 5-7 days for deliveries of HSFO, VLSFO, ULSFO and LSMGO fuel grades, a trader said.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 15% higher in August thus far, compared to July’s monthly average, according to Insights Global data.

The ARA hub has imported around 344,000 b/d of fuel oil in August thus far, more than double July’s monthly average of around 159,000 b/d, according to Vortexa cargo flows data. The largest volumes arrived from Benin (20%), Venezuela (15%) and Mexico (8%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – have dropped by 1% in August so far, compared to July, according to the Insights Global data.

The region has imported around 156,000 b/d of gasoil in August thus far, up from an average of around 119,000 b/d imported in July, according to Vortexa data. A majority of shipments arrived from the US (36%), Sweden (12%) and the UK (10%).

Bunker fuel availability is stable in Germany’s Hamburg port, a trader told ENGINE. Buyers are recommended a notice of five days to get delivery of any fuel grade.

Fuel availability is tight off Denmark Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, with buyers advised lead times of 10-14 days for deliveries of any fuel grade, a trader said.

Mediterranean

Bunker availability is tight for prompt dates at ports in the Strait of Gibraltar, with buyers advised earliest delivery dates of around 10-12 days out to get good coverage, a trader told ENGINE.

Suppliers in Gibraltar are running 4-12 hours behind schedule on deliveries, according to port agent MH Bland. In Algeciras, suppliers are running between 6-24 hours delayed, the port agent added. In Spain’s Ceuta, some deliveries at barge could be delayed by 6-8 hours, MH Bland said.

In Barcelona, buyers should book supplies at least a week before deliveries, a trader told ENGINE.

Prompt fuel availability is tight in Las Palmas, with buyers recommended lead times of around 10-12 days, a trader told ENGINE.

VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries off Malta require between 3-4 days of notice while ULSFO deliveries require six days of lead time, according to a trader. Some suppliers are offering prompt deliveries as well, the trader added.

Fuel availability is tight in Greece’s Piraeus for prompt supplies due to increased demand from cruise vessels, with buyers recommended lead times of seven days for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO, while ULSFO supplies need a 5-day notice, a trader said.

Prompt fuel availability is okay in Turkey’s Istanbul for most marine fuels, a local supplier told ENGINE. LSMGO and ULSFO deliveries need 1-3 days of notice, while VLSFO needs 2-4 days’ time, a trader said. HSFO availability is slightly tight for prompt supplies in Istanbul, with buyers advised 4-7 days of lead time, the trader added.

Africa

In Togo’s Lome and off Namibia’s Walvis Bay, fuel availability is tight for prompt supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO, with buyers recommended a week of notice for both fuel grades.

VLSFO is not available in Angola’s Luanda, a supplier told ENGINE. LSMGO availability is comparatively stable, and a notice of 3-4 days is sufficient for deliveries of the fuel grade, the supplier added.

In Nigeria’s Lagos anchorage, prompt fuel supplies are tight, and buyers are advised lead times of 5-10 days, a local supplier said.

In South Africa’s Durban, prompt fuel supplies of all three grades are tight, a trader said. Buyers are advised a week’s notice for any fuel grade.

Bunker availability is tight in Port Louis, with suppliers requiring notice of around 10-14 days, a trader said.

In the Mozambican ports of Nacala and Maputo, VLSFO supplies are tight and need lead times of a week, a trader told ENGINE.

By Nachiket Tekawade

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 3 September, 2026

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